★ The Akropolis of Amasia with the Royal Pontic necropolis ★

PONTUS. Amasia. Severus Alexander, 222-235. Hexassarion (Orichalcum, 33 mm, 18.80 g, 1 h), CY 228 = 225/6. AΥT K CЄOΥHΡOC AΛЄΞ[ANΔΡOC] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander to right, seen from behind; on drapery, countermark: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. Rev. AΔΡ CЄΥ AΛЄΞ AMACIAC MHT NЄ ΠΡ // ΠON ЄT CK/H The Akropolis of Amasia: fortified Mount Harşena with temples atop and at the foot; to left of the lower temple, the entrance to the Royal tombs of the Pontic Kings. Dalaison 580-582. RPC VI online 6467. For countermark, Howgego 269. Very rare and with a fascinating reverse. Some deposits, otherwise, good fine.

The reverse of this impressive issue shows us the Akropolis of Amasia, Mount Harşena, with its impressive fortifications and two temples atop and at the foot. Of particular interest is the cave shown to the left of the lower temple. This is the entrance to one of the tombs forming the Royal Pontic Necropolis, which was carved into the rocks of the flank of Mount Harşena and can still be visited today. The five kings buried here were Mithridates I (297/281-266 BC), Ariobarzanes (266-circa 250 BC), Mithridates II (circa 250-210s BC), Mithridates III (circa 210s-200 BC) and Pharnaces I (circa 200-169 BC), the latter of whom built the largest tomb outof all of them, which is likely the one shown on this coin.